By Florida Man Politics
Although Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has banned Flock and other ALPR cameras from state roadsides in response to recent political pressure from anti-Flock activists, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd says Polk County will still use them.
“It does no more than your law enforcement officer sitting on the side of the road in his or her patrol car running the same database through the same computer system,” said Judd. “The difference is the camera can read every one. The law enforcement officer is not fast enough to enter every one.” Judd also took the opportunity to argue against body cameras on officers, which are not worn by Polk County Sheriff’s Deputies.
Recent reporting shows DeSantis has approved $4.6 million in funding from the state of Florida for ALPR cameras like Flock in the last year.
Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) has decried Polk County Sheriff’s Office’s suppression of comments on social media pages.
“Government officials don’t get to silence protected speech because they find it harsh or disagreeable,” FIRE posted on its social media pages. “FIRE is calling on the Polk County Sheriff’s Office to stop censoring protected speech and bring its social media policies in line with the First Amendment.”
–Florida Man Politics